Arts Briefs for March 29

Music in the Mountains seeks housing donations for its 27th annual summer festival, July 7-28. More than 85 musicians from all over the world will begin to arrive in mid-July to rehearse with the Festival Orchestra and work with Conservatory Music in the Mountains students. Lodging expenses are included in the overall Festival budget, but much of the musicians’ housing is donated. Housing donations will count toward individual donor benefit packages that offer complimentary tickets, invitations to “meet the musicians BBQ” event and the Summer Soiree at Durango Mountain Resort to kick off the season and more.

Durango Public Library is looking for all aspiring writers aged 12 to 17 for its third annual Teen Writing Contest. April is National Poetry Month, and the library will offer a writing contest with two categories, poetry and short stories. Each writer may submit one piece for each category. Submissions will be divided into two age groups: ages 12-14 and 15-17.

Entries will be accepted between April 1 and 24 and may be dropped off at the library or emailed to DurangoPublicLibrary@durangogov.org. Winners will be notified by April 27. The community is invited to the awards ceremony from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. May 1, where there will be prizes, refreshments and readings from the winning entries.

The April 5 Los Lonely Boys show at the Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College has been canceled by the band. Refunds are available for those who have already bought tickets.

Guitarist Henry Garza was hospitalized in late February after a fall from the stage at the Downey Civic Theater in California. It is unknown if the current concert cancellation is a result of this injury.

Community Concert Hall director Charles Leslie said he plans to reschedule the Los Lonely Boys show in the fall.

For refund and more information, call 247-7657.

Artists may register for online directory

Durango Arts Center announces a new online directory for artist members to support community artists and offer more exposure and promotion. Artist contact information, a representative image and a website link will be posted at www.DurangoArts.org/artist-directory.

Artists must be a current member of Durango Arts Center. For submission instructions, email Elsa at elsa@DurangoArts.org.

Potter selected as Snowdown artist

The Snowdown Board of Directors awarded local artist Josh Potter of Graphic Assassin the artist contract for 2014’s Snowdown “Safari So Good!” Potter met with the Snowdown Board of Directors at the regular meeting March 19, where board members viewed presentations from several local artists. 2014’s Snowdown Safari So Good is scheduled for Jan. 29 through Feb. 2.

For more information, call Snowdown board president Dawn James-Staten at 317-4709.

Arts Center to host drum class

In conjunction with the exhibit “Masks: Creating Identity,” visiting Nigerian instructor Akeem Ayanniyi will teach a West African drumming class from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday in the Barbara Conrad Gallery of Durango Arts Center, 802 East Second Ave. The cost is $20 per person. Ayanniyi also will drum from 3 to 5 p.m. today at the Rochester Hotel, 726 East Second Ave., as well as for the opening reception of the DAC exhibit today from 5 to 7 p.m.